“Certainly, your Excellency.”

“Then I will meet them, and take the risk.  Everything must be settled off at once:  we have wasted too much time over this affair, Granaglia.  When does the Genoa Council meet?”

“On the Seventh.”

“To-morrow you must issue the summonses.  Come, Granaglia, let us be stirring; it is cold.  Where does Brother Conventz sleep to-night?”

“On board the schooner, your Excellency.”

“I also.  To-morrow, at eleven, you will be at Portici; to-night you will send the message to the ladies at the hotel; and also, if you can, find out where that rogue Calabressa is hiding.”

That was the last of their talking.  There was some locking up inside; then they passed down through the dark garden and out into the road.  There was no one visible.  They walked on in silence.

Punctually at eleven the next morning Natalie and her mother appeared at the iron gates of the Villa Odelschalchi and rang the bell.  The porter appeared, admitted them, and then turned to the great white staircase, which Granaglia was at that moment seen to be descending.

“Will the ladies have the goodness to step into the garden?” said the Secretary, with grave courtesy.  “General von Zoesch will be with them directly.”

He accompanied them as far as the top of the terrace, and then bowed and withdrew.

If Natalie Lind was agitated now, it was not with fear.  There was a fresh animation of color in her cheek; her eyes were brilliant and excited; she spoke in low, eager whispers.

“Oh, I know what he is coming to tell us, mother—­you need not be afraid:  I shall see it in his face before he comes near—­I think I shall be able to hear it in the sound of his steps.  Have courage, mother! why do you tremble so?  Remember what Calabressa said.  They are so powerful they can do everything; and you and the General von Zoesch old friends, too.  Look at this, mother:  do you see what I have brought with me?”

She opened her purse—­her fingers were certainly a little nervous—­and showed her mother a folded-up telegraph form.

“I am going to telegraph to him, mother:  surely it is from me he should hear the news first.  And then he might come here, mother, to go back with us:  you will rest a few days after so much anxiety.”

“I hope, my darling, it will all turn out well,” said the mother, turning quickly as she heard footsteps.

The next second Von Zoesch appeared, his face red with embarrassment; but still Natalie with her first swift glance saw that his eyes were smiling and friendly, and her heart leaped up with a bound.

“My dear young lady,” said he, taking her hand, “forgive me for making such a peremptory appointment—­”

“But you bring good news’?” she said, breathlessly.  “Oh, sir, I can see that you have succeeded—­yes, yes—­the danger is removed—­you have saved him!”